Norco’s Martine Duhe dances her way into the hearts of New Orleans Hornets fans
The loud buzz that rocked the New Orleans Arena for the first two rounds of the NBA playoffs now sounds more like a distant hum. In a win-or-go-home Game 7, the New Orleans Hornets fell to the San Antonio Spurs in a disappointing 91-82 loss.
Yet most would agree that it takes more than a powerhouse basketball team to keep the fans cheering game after game.
While star players like Chris Paul and David West light up the score board, dancers like Norco’s Martine Duhe help keep the Honeybee’s choreographed moves on point.
Duhe, a 2005 graduate of Destrehan High School, says she’s been dancing since the age of two and tried out for the Hornets’ dance team right out of high school and has been a member of the team ever since.
“I danced at Johanna’s Jazz In Motion for 16 years,” said Duhe. “I give my dance teacher a lot of credit for my success with the Hornets. Ms. Johanna always told me I could go as far as I wanted. She instilled in me what it meant to perform and plays a big role in where I am today.”
Duhe says that performing in front of thousands of die-hard fans is an amazing feeling and points out that it’s their support that keeps her going.
“For the first time in three years I had chills running onto the court during the first playoff game,” said Duhe. “The crowd was so pumped up. It’s their energy that helps me to perform better each game.”
Being part of a hard working and determined organization has given Duhe unique opportunities to not only do what she loves, but to reach out and help those around her.
“We are all a family and work really hard together,” said Duhe. “I love how the Hornets’ organization reaches out to the community by visiting schools and participating in charity events.”
“To see the smiles on the faces of so many children and fans is so heart warming. I enjoy every minute of it and feel very blessed.”
Duhe plans to dance for the Hornets as long as she can and hopes to one day teach for a studio, but would also like to see herself as a working cosmetologist.
“I’ll graduate in June from the Paul Mitchell College of Cosmetology and would like to work in a salon doing hair and makeup,” said Duhe.
Duhe says that working behind the scenes as a cosmetologist for both television and fashion is her ultimate goal. And that dream job could get a little push from her lifelong friend Shelley Hennig, better known as the latest actress to hit the soap opera scene on Days of Our Lives.
“I’m planning on taking a trip to Los Angeles to visit Shelley when I graduate,” said Duhe. “She knows a lot of successful hair and makeup artists that could mentor me and guide me in the right direction.”
But don’t worry Honeybee fans, Duhe’s not trading in her turquoise and gold just yet. She plans to be there at the sidelines for next season’s Hornets tip off.
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